Management Excellence for Operations (MEO) Annual Report

The MEO IDIQ focuses on tasks that analyze operations performance data, processes, and management issues to improve USAID's efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, it provides surge capacity, support, and technical assistance to USAID Operating Units (OUs) to comply with internal and external requirements related to operations performance management. Furthermore, the MEO IDIQ improves the Agency's internal and external communications, products, and information management, and monitoring and reporting on operations performance management. Throughout 2019, Resonance, in partnership with Social Impact (SI), implemented the USAID-Centric Redesign Task Order (TO) #7200AA18F00012 and the Restructuring Management Unit (RMU) Change Management (CM) TO #7200AA19F00025. The USAID-Centric Redesign TO was designed to support USAID and the Transformation Task Team (T3) with planning and implementing the Agency's transformation efforts. The Resonance team successfully delivered an improved project and deliverable tracking system, operationalized standard procedures for using the tracking system, and implemented a systematic approach for documenting progress and challenges to achieving T3 results. The team also contributed to substantial forward progress on achieving Transformation's overall outcomes, including the Journey to Self-Reliance, Strengthening Core Capabilities, Advancing National Security, Empowering People to Lead, and Respecting Taxpayer Investments. In 2019, the team further supported the Agency's transformation efforts through finalization of Project Handover Plans, which are used as a roadmap during the Agency's shift to "Transformation Phase 3.0." The team also took over as coordinator of multiple projects under Outcome 2: Strengthen Core Capabilities, analyzed TDY data to better understand the patterns of travelers, and continued to support the T3 Communications team. The RMU CM TO #7200AA19F00025 was issued under the MEO IDIQ and was designed to provide tailored support to the RMU and services to the Bureau Planning Teams (BPTs) to develop and implement Agency-, Bureau-, and team-specific change management plans and identify risks and success factors to implementation. The Transformation Change Management Support Team (TCMST) is collaborating with the USAID RMU, which oversees the Agency's restructuring, providing overall guidance, coordination, and support to BPTs; USAID's Office of Human Capital and Talent Management; Bureau for Management; the Office of the General Counsel; and other corporate entities. The first Bureaus slated to receive services from the RMU CM TO are the Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation and the Bureau for Policy, Resources and Performance. This activity will support Bureaus with changes as required and co-identified by the RMU and the TCMST. A critical consideration for the team in starting to implement activities is that Bureaus are at different stages in the CM process and will require distinct, tailored services and treatment. The main stakeholders of this activity are BPTs, designated leaders in the front-office of the Agency and Restructuring Support Teams (ARSTs), who represent the implementing teams of the Transformation. Resonance completed both Deliverable 1, the spreadsheet-based Data Tracking System (DTS) for performance management and project management, and Deliverable 2, creating a simple standard operating procedure for using the tracking system, in 2018. Periodic Executive Reports were submitted to T3 leadership three times per week, providing insights into ongoing progress of each task or project. Outcome-Level Engagements were also provided to the T3 team under each of the five T3 outcomes, including the Journey to Self-Reliance, Strengthening Core Capabilities, Advancing National Security, Empowering People to Lead, and Respecting Taxpayer Investments. The Resonance team worked to finalize handover plans for Outcome 1 ahead of its transition from T3 to the respective bureaus. Additionally, the team assisted the Strategic Transformation Team in developing a comprehensive plan for the transition of Outcome 1. The team also provided targeted support to the T3 team under each of the five T3 outcomes, including the Journey to Self-Reliance, Strengthening Core Capabilities, Advancing National Security, Empowering People to Lead, and Respecting Taxpayer Investments. The USAID-Centric Redesign TO and the RMU CM TO are critical components of the MEO IDIQ, which aims to strengthen USAID's operations and performance management practices. The Resonance team has successfully implemented both task orders, providing tailored support to the RMU and services to the Bureau Planning Teams to develop and implement Agency-, Bureau-, and team-specific change management plans and identify risks and success factors to implementation. The team's efforts have contributed to substantial forward progress on achieving Transformation's overall outcomes, including the Journey to Self-Rel